Prefabricated multiple dome units or skylights and composite thereof

ABSTRACT

Prefabricated multiple dome units or skylights and composite thereof, wherein each multiple dome unit has several domes of transparent or translucent material mounted together on a common frame, and wherein means are provided for assembling a plurality of such dome units into a composite thereof on a building, with the units lapped and interfitted so as to provide a continuous drainage system discharging to the exterior of the units in the composite assembly.

llnited States Patent Sandow et all.

1451 Feb. 12, 1974 [5 PREFABRHCATEID MULTIPLE DOME UNITS 380,864 4/1888 Cooper 52/466 OR SKYLIGHTS AND COMPOSITE KY ys on THEREOF 1,538,817 /1925 James 52/200 [75] Inventors: Kiyoshi Sandow; Thomas L. 3,509,672 5 1970 Brooks 52 501 Andel'ton, both of Houston Tex Nate [73] Assignee: Plasteco, ]l1nc., Houston, Tex. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATlONS 500,623 2/1939 Great Britain 52/460 [22] 1971 209,300 11/1966 Sweden 52/200 [2]] Appl. No.: 196,382

Primary ExaminerHenry C. Sutherland Assistant ExaminerH. E. Raduazo [52] US. Cl 52/200, 52/455, 52/467, Attorney Agent or Firm pravel, Wilson & Matthews 52/469, 52/726 3 ":-'i-1:3;1:1:11-1:32."127:.E945 7/ [57] ABSTRACT [58] Field ofSearch ..52/200, 460, 467, 466, 469,

52/493 499 501 726 Prefabricated multiple dome units or skylights and composite thereof, wherein each multiple dome unit [56] References Cited has several domes of transparent or translucent material mounted together on a common frame, and UNITED STATES PATENTS wherein means are provided for assembling a plurality 951,1 12 3/1910 Grenier 52/200 of such dome units into a composite thereof on a 2,790,400 4/1957 wassermam; 52/200 building, with the units lapped and interfitted so as to gaston provide a continuous drainage system discharging to innear...

188,904 3/1877 Henry IIII u 52/2O0 the exterior of the units in the composite assembly. 333,603 1/1886 Cartright 52/726 7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 325 52.5 -6// I I J 0-3. -56 3/0 v! 07/ ,4 .J g if w; 2 if? 5, 526 -J76' 226" 47//\ 5 w 8 /5/& .mt\ 4 5/! A 4 w J w: //2-\ f T f 5 5 5 425 /25' J 1-- /25 //6 -fl4 12-1 S 05 5 {/d PREFABRICATED MULTIPLE DOME UNITS OR SKYLIGIITS AND COMPOSITE THEREOF BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of this invention is dome or skylight units for mounting on a roof or other part of a building, wherein the dome is generally transparent or translucent so that light can pass therethrough.

In the past, skylights have generally been made as single dome units and these have been connected at the job site or on the building when installed. Because of the construction of such prior units, the on-the-job installation has not provided for continuous drainage from one unit to the other, often resulting in a collecting of water between the units with no discharge to the exterior of the building and resultant corrosion and water damage to the units. Also, when a large number of such single units have been assembled, the on-thejob assembly time has been unnecessarily prolonged and expensive, and the separate mounting of each single unit has resulted in trapped water in the framework of the units.

In the past, multiple dome units have not been considered practicable because of the difficulty of transporting them in the installation size and because of the problems of drainage between the units when mounted in the conventional manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new and improved prefabricated multiple dome unit or skylight which is constructed so that a plurality ofsuch units can be interconnected and lapped on the job to provide continuous sloping drainage between the units from the uppermost to the lowermost and discharge of water to the exterior of the units. Since such units ofthis invention can be thus assembled, the size of each unit can be controlled so that a plurality of such units may be readily transported by truck or rail to the building where they are assembled into the final composite assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating a plurality of the prefabricated multiple dome units assembled together on a roof of a building or similar location;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1 and it illustrates an intermediate frame member in relationship to a longitudinal frame member and the edges of a pair of adjacent domes;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 illustrating the construction of one of the lateral end frame members, in solid lines, with the edge of one of the domes mounted and clamped thereon;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 1 and it illustrates details of the connection between the lateral end frame members of two adjacent dome units;

FIG. 5 is a view taken on line 55 and illustrates details of longitudinal frame members of two adjacent dome units with means for connecting same together;

FIG. 6 is a view taken on line 66 of FIG. 5 and it illustrates further details of the overlapping and interfitting of the ends of adjacent dome units disposed longitudinally with respect to each other;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view further illustrating the relationship of two adjacent multiple dome units disposed longitudinally with respect to each other; and

FIG. 8 is a plan view taken from the area in circle designated 8 in FIG. 1, illustrating in detail the means for connecting four of the dome units together at their adjacent corners.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1 of the drawings, a plurality of prefabricated multiple dome units D-1, D-2, D-3, D-4, D-5 and D6 are illustrated as positioned on an inclined roof R a portion of which is shown). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the dome units D-1 and D-4 are disposed towards the lower portion of the inclined roof R so that the units D-2, D-3, D-5 and D-6 are inclined upwardly therefrom. As will be more evident hereinafter, inside or condensate water draining from the units D-3 and D-6 will drain downwardly through the drainage channels provided therein and then through the drainage channels in the intermediate dome units D-5 and finally will pass through the drainage channels in the dome units D-ll and D-4 where they are discharged to the exterior of the units. Each of the dome units D-l is preferably of a size which is suitable for transportation on a truck, within the limits imposed by highway transportation. The units D-l through D-6 illustrated in FIG. 1 are merely exemplary since it will be understood that'more or less of such units may be assembled at the job site, preferably on the roof or other location of the building, as desired.

Normally, each of the dome units D-l through D-6 and any other dome units which are employed, has a plurality of domes mounted together in prefabricated construction. Thus the dome unit D-l has a first unit frame F-l upon which is mounted three domes 110, 111 and 112. Each of the other domes has been illustrated with the same number of domes and they bear the same numbers except that the prefix number is changed to correspond with the number of the particular dome unit. Thus, dome unit D-2 has domes 210, 211 and 212, dome unit D-3 has domes 310, 311 and 312, dome unit D-4 has come units 410, 411 and 412 and dome unit D-S has domes 510, 511 and 512. Each of such domes is preferably made of a transparent or translucent material, or any other material through which light will pass, although in some instances one or all of such domes may be made of an opaque material.

The frame for each of the dome units is constructed essentially the same, except at certain portions which interfit and overlap, as will be more fully explained. Thereof, the construction of the first unit frame F-1 will first be described. Thus, the frame F-l has a pair of Iongitudinal frame members 115 and 116 which are substantially parallel to each other and whichare laterally spaced apart. A detailed cross-sectional view of the longitudinal frame member 116 is illustrated in FIG. 5. The longitudinal frame member 115 may be identical to the longitudinal frame member 415 shown at FIG. 5 in solid lines or it may have the construction of frame member 118 as shown in FIG. 3, and as more fully explained hereinafter. Thus, the longitudinal frame member 116 has a gasket holding section 116a which receives a resilient gasket 1 16b upon which the righthand edge of each of the domes 110, 111 and 112 rest, as illustrated by the position of the dome 112 in FIG. 5.

Below the basket holding means 1160, the longitudinal frame member 116 is formed with a channel 1160 which serves as a drainage channel for incidental inside water which may flow from the domes 110, 111 and 112 and may also flow from the dome units D-2 and D-3 thereabove, as will be more evident hereinafter.

The bottom of the longitudinal frame member 116 preferably has legs 116d which rest upon the roof support shown in dotted lines in FIG. 5.

The longitudinal frame member 116 has an upstanding lip 116e which forms a part of the channel 116s, together with the opposite wall 116f. An angle bracket support 117 is welded or is otherwise affixed to the vertical lip 116e for providing a rest or support for a lateral end frame member 119, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

The longitudinal frame member 116 also has a drainage or weep hole 116g so that any moisture thereabove may flow downwardly into the drainage channel 116C. A fastener groove l16h is provided in the longitudinal frame member 116 for receiving one or more fastening screws 30 or any other suitable fastening means.

The parts of the longitudinal frame member 415 of the multiple dome unit D-4 which correspond with the parts of the longitudinal frame member 116 have the same letter designations following the prefix 415, and it will be understood that the longitudinal frame member 115 is constructed identically to the frame member 415. The angle bracket support 417 corresponds with the angle bracket support 117 and is welded or is otherwise affixed to the vertical lip 4l5e. The fastener slot 415i: is adapted to receive one or more screws or fasteners 30 in the same manner as described in connection with the slot 11611.

The details of the lateral end member 118 can be seen from the sectional view shown in FIG. 3, wherein the frame member 118 is shown as having a gasket holding means 118a in which a gasket 118b of resilient material such as rubber is positioned. A drainage channel 118a is provided by the lower portion of the frame member 118 and also by an upstanding lip 1182 and an inner wall 118f. The inner wall ll8f is preferably provided with a plurality of openings or slots 118k for the drainage of water or other liquid from the channel 1 180 to the exterior of the units. Since the channel 118a is the lowermost channel in the series of dome units D-l, D-2 and D-3 illustrated in FIG. 1, the water flowing downwardly therefrom will be discharged to the exterior through such openings 118k or any other suitable openings near the lower end of the domed unit D-l. The frame member 118 has legs 118d which rest upon a roof member 21 shown in dotted line in FIG. 3. An attaching extension 118m extends downwardly from the frame member 118 so that a screw 31 or other attaching means may extend from the extension 118m into the roof support member 21 which may be made of metal or wood.

The frame member 118 has a weep or drainage hole 118g for drainage to a larger drainage gutter 1180, and it has a fastener slot 118h for receiving one or more screws 30 as will be more fully explained. The lip ll8e preferably has an angle bracket member 32 (shown in dotted lines) welded or otherwise affixed thereto to facilitate a securing of the frame member 118 to a brace 33 or other means welded or otherwise connected to the roof support 21. Fastening screws 34 or other suitable securing means may be utilized for making the connection from the angle iron 32 to the brace 33 as illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 3.

When the side frame members 115, 215, 315 and 416, 516, 616 are used for connecting to additional dome units, they will preferably be identical to the frame members 116 and 415, respectively, but when they are the outer extremity or curb portion of the assembly, they will preferably be identical to the frame member 118, as shown in FIG. 3.

The lateral end of frame member 119 of the dome unit D-l is illustrated in detail in FIG. 4 and it can be seen that the construction thereof is considerably different than the end frame member 118. Also, the lower lateral frame member 218 is illustrated in FIG. 4 and it corresponds with and is identical to the frame member 119 so that the members 119 and 218 may be joined together in the manner illustrated in FIG. 4. The lateral end frame member 119 includes a gasket holding means 119a in which is disposed a gasket 11% formed of rubber or other resilient material for supporting the edge of the dome 112 (FIG. 4). A drainage channel is formed by a lower channel plate 119c which extends from vertically extending walls or lips 1192 to ll9f. An intermediate vertical section 119m extends upwardly from the drainage channel 119C to the holding means 1 19a and serves to divide the drainage channel into two sections, although the two sections may be interconnected since they both serve the same purpose, namely, to provide a means for directing the flow of condensate water to the drainage channels 115C or 1160 as will be more evident hereinafter. A pair of support legs 119d are provided with the frame member 119 for resting upon the suitable roof support member 25 shown in dotted line in FIG. 4. A portion of the channel 1190 rests upon an angle bracket support which is welded or is otherwise secured to the longitudinal frame member 115 (FIG. 4) in the same manner as the opposite end of the frame member 119 is supported on the angle iron support 117 (FIG. 5). By comparison of FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be seen that the drainage channel l19c of the end member 119 is disposed above and in fluid communication with the drainage channel 116c of the frame member 116 as well as the drainage channel 115C (not shown) of the longitudinal frame member 115.

The lower lateral end frame member 218 of the dome unit D-2 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 4 and it has parts which correspond with the end frame member 119, which have been designated with corresponding letters. It should also be understood that the end frame members 119 and 218 are identical to the end frame members 219, 318, 419, 518, 519, 618, and therefore details of such parts are not illustrated. The uppermost lateral end frame member 319 essentially corresponds with the lowermost lateral end frame member 1 18 which has been heretofore described in connection with FIG. 3, but it is disposed in the opposite direction. Likewise, the lower lateral end member 418 of the dome unit D-4 corresponds with the lower lateral end frame member 1 18. The upper lateral end frame member for the dome unit D-6 (not shown) would correspond with the frame member 319. Likewise, it will be understood that additional dome units (not shown) will have similar or identical construction to such lateral end frame members, depending upon the particular location of the end frame member.

Each of the dome units illustrated in the drawing has intermediate frame members extending laterally between the longitudinal frame members and these are schematically illustrated in FIG. 1 and are numbered in accordance with the number of the dome unit. Thus, lateral intermediate frame members 125 and 126 are schematically illustrated for the dome unit D-1 and the other lateral intermediate frame members are similarly identified for the other units. In FIG. 2, a crosssectional detail of the lateral intermediate frame member 226 is shown, as it is representative of all the lateral intermediate frame members.

The lateral intermediate frame member 226 has a pair of gasket holding members 226a, each of which has a gasket 226b therein formed of rubbr or other resilient material which is adapted to engage its respective dome 211 and 212. Each of the gasket holding members 226a is supported on an upstanding element 226m which divides a drainage channel 226C below each of the gasket holding members 226a. There are two outer lips 226a and a central vertical section 226f which has a grooved slot or a plurality of openings 226k for receiving locking screws or other fasteners 36, as will be more fully explained.

The intermediate frame member 226 is disposed between the longitudinal frame members 215 and 216. Preferably, each intermediate frame member is supported in essentially the same manner as illustrated and described heretofore in connection with the lateral end frame member 119. Thus, as seen in FIG. 2, the lower portion 226c of the intermediate frame member 226 has a portion thereof resting upon an angle bracket member 121 which is welded or is otherwise secured to the longitudinal frame member 215. The other end of the frame member 226 is similarly supported (not shown), the appearance of which would be essentially like that illustrated in FIG. 5. To further illustrate the relationship of the frame members in each unit with respect to each other and also the relationship of the frame members of the adjacent dome units when they are in the assembled condition, FIG. 6 is a view taken on line 66 of FIG. 5 and FIG. 7 is a view showing the same parts as in FIG. 6, but in a separated condition so that the overlapping and interfitting of the longitudinal frame members of adjacent dome units is clearly portrayed. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the frame members have been illustrated without the gasket material, the domes or the connecting means for attaching the units together. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the longitudinal frame member 415 has a section of its upper part cut off as to form a terminating edge 415x and so as to leave the side walls 415e and 415f extending therebeyond. The width of the drainage channel formed by the side walls 515e and 5115f of the longitudinal frame member 515 is less than the inside dimension between the walls 415e and 415f so that they interfit and overlap as shown in FIG. 6 with gaskets '40 and 41, formed of rubber or other similar material disposed to provide a 'seal between the interfitting and overlapping portions of the frame members 415'and 515. The legs 515d of the frame member 515 are cropped off so that they do not interfere with the telescoping of the frame member 515 within the frame member 415 (FIG. 7).

The lateral end frame members 419 and 518 extend over the channel walls 415:: and 515e in the same manner as illustrated in FIG. 5 so that the gasket holding means for the frame members 415, 515, 419, and 518 all lie in substantially the same plane so that their respective gaskets also lie in substantially the same plane for supporting and sealing engagement with the domes which are positioned thereon in the final assembly. The general relationship of the interfitting portions of the longitudinal frame members 415, 515 and 615 is illustrated by the dotted lines in FIG. 5. It will be understood that the frame members 515 and 615 interfit in substantially the same manner as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 for the frame members 415 and 515. Likewise, the frame members 115, 215 and 315 interfit in the same manner.

The dome is clamped and sealed to the lower lateral frame member 118 by a clamping angle 135 (FIG. 3) which has a gasket 136 therewith for sealing engagement with the upper surface of an edge of the dome 110. The clamping angle 135 is attached to clamp the member 118 by a plurality of fasteners or screws 30 which extend into the screw slot 118h.

The clamping angle 135 extends continuously on around on top of the longitudinal frame members and 116 and is of similar cross section, although it may be made in separate pieces if desired. Thus, in FIG. 5, a similar clamping angle 235 is shown in position on the longitudinal frame member 116, with the gasket 136 in sealing engagement with the upper surface of one edge of the dome 112. The right hand side of FIG. 5 illustrates clamping angle 435 which is of the same construction and which has a gasket 436 in engagement for sealing and holding the edge of the dome 412. The screws or fasteners 30 extend through the clamping brakcets and 435 as shown in FIG. 5 into the corresponding screw openings or slots 116k and 41511 to thus hold the brackets 135 in position on the corresponding longitudinal frame member. It is to be observed that the clamping angle 235 may have an extra upstanding angular extension 235a (FIG. 5), and the clamping angle 435 has a similar upstanding angular extension 435a which are used to support a cover 45 which is secured thereto by suitable fasteners or screws 46 and which has gaskets 45a therewith. Also, the units are secured to the roof or other support such as support member 20 by means of a fastener assembly, which includes a screw or bolt 47 extending into a U-shaped portion 20a on the support 20. The fastener or screw 47 extends through a plate 48 which engages the clamping brackets 135 and 435. Thus, the entire assembly is firmly locked to the roof supportmember'20, and the adjacent domeunits are firmly clamped together.

FIG. 8 illustrates a corner connection between four of the dome units D-l, D-2, D-4 and D-5 and it illustrates how the gasketed connector cover 45 extends longitudinally with respect to all four of the adjacent corners of the dome units. In fact, the connecting plate 45 extends continuously for the full length of the entire assembly of the dome units, although it may be in spliced sections.

A comparison of FIGS. 4 and 8 also reveals how the lateral end frame members of the adjacent dome units are interconnected to each other. Thus, the adjacent lateral end frame members 1 19 and 218 are secured to the roof support 25 by means of a screw or fastener 51 l which extends through a clamping channel 52 and into a connector section 25a which is welded or otherwise secured to the support 25. A clamping plate 55 which is essentially flat extends across the space between and overlaps the adjacent ends of the domes 112 and 210,

with gaskets 55a in sealing contact therewith. Bolts, screws or other fasteners 56 extend through the clamping plate 55 into the respective frame members 1 19 and 218 as seen in FIG. 4 to thereby hold the clamping plate 55 in position. A separate gasket 57 may also be employed to span the gap across the adjacent edges of the domes 112 and 210.

A similar clamping plate 60 is disposed between the adjacent edges of the domes 211 and 212 of the intermediate frame member 226. Gasket 61 with the clamping plate 60 engage the domes 211 and 212 and are sealed and held in position by a plurality of screws or other fasteners 36 which are threaded into the slot 226h as previously explained. Another gasket plate 62 may also be provided for spanning the gap between the adjacent edges of the domes 211 and 212.

It will be understood that, the clamping plates 55 and 60 are illustrative of the clamping plates which are used with the other lateral frame members.

In the use of the prefabricated multiple dome units of this invention to form a composite thereof, each of the dome units is a length and width which is suitable for transportation on a truck or other vehicle within the limits imposed by law for travel upon highways. The units are constructed so that they can be readily assembled on the roof R or other part of the building, with as many of the units connected together as is desired. By reason of the interfitting and overlapping connection of the longitudinal frame members of the adjacent dome units, as explained heretofore, particularly in connection with FIGS. 6-8, the inside condensate water running off the dome units drains readily from the uppermost to the lowermost of the units and is discharged therefrom to the exterior of the building so as to prevent leakage around the skylights or domes themselves and so as to also prevent any accumulation of water within the framework of the units. The lateral frame members, including the end frame members and the intermediate frame members are also interconnected with drain channels disposed above the longitudinal drain channels of the longitudinal frame member so that incidental or condensate water entering such channels flows to one ofthe longitudinal drain channels on either side thereof and then flows in the direction of the slope of the roof to the lowermost frame member where the water is discharged to the exterior of the building.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. A prefabricated multiple dome unit, comprising:

a first unit frame having a pair of longitudinal frame members laterally spaced apart, and a pair of lateral end frame members extending between and connected to said pair of longitudinal frame members;

said frame also including at least one lateral intermediate frame member extending laterally between and connected to said longitudinal frame members;

a gasket holding means on each of said longitudinal frame members and on each of said lateral end frame members, all of which are disposed at substantially the same elevation;

a pair of gasket holding means on said lateral intermediate frame member at substantially the same elevation as said gasket holding means on said longitudinal and lateral end frame members whereby a plurality of domes may be supported on gaskets in said gasket holding means;

a longitudinally extending drainage channel for each longitudinal frame member disposed below its respective gasket holding means;

a laterally extending drainage channel for each lateral end frame member disposed below its respective gasket channel and in communication with at least one of said longitudinally extending drainage channels;

a drainage channel adjacent to and below each of said gasket holding means on said lateral intermediate frame member and in communication with at least one of said longitudinally extending drainage channels;

a second prefabricated multiple dome unit including a second unit frame having a pair of longitudinal frame members laterally spaced apart slightly less than the distance said longitudinal frame member of said first unit frame are laterally spaced apart from each other; and

a portion of said longitudinal frame members on said second unit frame overlapping and interfitting with a portion of said longitudinal frame members of said first unit frame, whereby said second unit frame forms a continuation of said first unit frame.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein:

each of said longitudinal frame members in said second frame has a drainage channel therewith in communication with the drainage channel for each of said longitudinal frame members in said first unit frame.

3. The structure set forth in claim 2, including:

a lateral end frame on said second unit having a drainage channel in communication with at least one of said drainage channels of said longitudinal frame members of said second unit frame.

4. The structure set forth in claim 1, including a third prefabricated multiple dome unit having a third unit frame which includes:

a pair of longitudinal frame members spaced laterally apart a distance substantially the same as the distance said longitudinal frame members of said first unit frame are laterally spaced from each other; and

means securing said first unit frame and said third unit frame together substantially side-by-side.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4, including a fourth prefabricated multiple dome unit having a fourth unit frame which includes a pair of longitudinal frame members spaced laterally apart a distance slightly less than the distance said longitudinal frame members of said third unit frame are laterally spaced from each other; and

a portion of said longitudinal frame members of said third unit frame and said fourth unit frame overlapping and interfitting with each other, whereby said fourth unit frame forms a continuation of said third unit frame.

6. The structure set forth in claim 5, wherein each of said dome units is of a size to enable same to be transported within the limits imposed by highway transportation.

7. The structure set forth in claim 6, including:

means attaching all of said dome units with a corner of each adjacent to the other three corners. 

1. A prefabricated multiple dome unit, comprising: a first unit frame having a pair of longitudinal frame members laterally spaced apart, and a pair of lateral end frame members extending between and connected to said pair of longitudinal frame members; said frame also including at least one lateral intermediate frame member extending laterally between and connected to said longitudinal frame members; a gasket holding means on each of said longitudinal frame members and on each of said lateral end frame members, all of which are disposed at substantially the same elevation; a pair of gasket holding means on said lateral intermediate frame member at substantially the same elevation as said gasket holding means on said longitudinal and lateral end frame members whereby a plurality of domes may be supported on gaskets in said gasket holding means; a longitudinally extending drainage channel for each longitudinal frame member disposed below its respective gasket holding means; a laterally extending drainage channel for each lateral end frame member disposed below its respective gasket channel and in communication with at least one of said longitudinally extending drainage channels; a drainage channel adjacent to and below each of said gasket holding means on said lateral intermediate frame member and in communication with at least one of said longitudinally extending drainage channels; a second prefabricated multiple dome unit including a second unit frame having a pair of longitudinal frame members laterally spaced apart slightly less than the distance said longitudinal frame member of said first unit frame are laterally spaced apart from each other; and a portion of said longitudinal frame members on said second unit frame overlapping and interfitting with a portion of said longitudinal frame members of said first unit frame, whereby said second unit frame forms a continuation of said first unit frame.
 2. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: each of said longitudinal frame members in said second frame has a drainage channel therewith in communication with the drainage channel for each of said longitudinal frame members in said first unit frame.
 3. The structure set forth in claim 2, including: a lateral end frame on said second unit having a drainage channel in communication with at least one of said drainage channels of said longitudinal frame members of said second unit frame.
 4. The structure set forth in claim 1, including a third prefabricated multiple dome unit having a third unit frame which includes: a pair of longitudinal frame members spaced laterally apart a distance substantially the same as the distance said longitudinal frame members of said first unit frame are laterally spaced from each other; and means securing said first unit frame and said third unit frame together substantially side-by-side.
 5. The structure set forth in claim 4, including a fourth prefabricated multiple dome unit having a fourth unit frame which includes a pair of longitudinal frame members spaced laterally apart a distance slightlY less than the distance said longitudinal frame members of said third unit frame are laterally spaced from each other; and a portion of said longitudinal frame members of said third unit frame and said fourth unit frame overlapping and interfitting with each other, whereby said fourth unit frame forms a continuation of said third unit frame.
 6. The structure set forth in claim 5, wherein each of said dome units is of a size to enable same to be transported within the limits imposed by highway transportation.
 7. The structure set forth in claim 6, including: means attaching all of said dome units with a corner of each adjacent to the other three corners. 